Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ben More and around
From the southern shores of Loch na Keal, which almost splits Mull in two, rise the
terraced slopes of
Ben More
(3169ft) - literally “big mountain” - a mighty extinct
volcano, and the only Munro in the Hebrides outside of Skye. It's most easily climbed
from Dhiseig, halfway along the loch's southern shores, though an alternative route is
to climb up to the col between Beinn Fhada and A'Chioch, and approach via the
mountain's eastern ridge. Further west along the shore the road carves through
spectacular overhanging cliffs before heading south past the Gribun rocks, which face
the tiny island of
Inch Kenneth
, where Unity Mitford lived until her death in 1948.
here are great views out to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles as the road leaves the coast
behind, climbing over the pass to Loch Scridain, where it eventually joins the equally
dramatic Glen More road (A849) from Craignure.
If you're properly equipped for walking, you can also explore the
Ardmeanach
peninsula
, to the west of the road. he area, which features a large sea cave and a
fossilized tree, is NTS-owned and there is a car park just before
Tiroran House.
6
The Ross of Mull
Stretching for twenty miles west as far as Iona is Mull's rocky southernmost peninsula,
the
Ross of Mull
, which, like much of Scotland, appears blissfully tranquil in good
weather, and desolate and bleak in bad climes. Most visitors simply drive through the
Ross en route to Iona, but if you have the time it's definitely worth considering
exploring, or even staying, in this little-visited part of Mull.
Lochbuie
he most scenic spots on the Ross are hidden away on the south coast, starting with
LOCHBUIE
, which lies on a fertile plain beside the sea. he bay here is rugged and wide,
and overlooked by the handsome peak of Ben Buie (2352ft), to the northwest. Hidden
behind a patch of Scots pine are the ivy-strewn ruins of
Moy Castle
, an old MacLean
stronghold; in the fields to the north is one of the few
stone circles
in the west of
Scotland, dating from the second century BC. A popular and fairly easy walk is the
five-mile hike west from Lochbuie along the coastal path to Carsaig.
Carsaig
A rickety single-track road heads south four miles from Lochbuie to
CARSAIG
, which
enjoys an idyllic setting, looking south out to Colonsay, Islay and Jura. Most folk come
here either to walk east to Lochbuie, or west under the cliffs, to the
Nuns'
Cave
, (where
nuns from Iona are alleged to have hidden during the Reformation), and then, after
four miles or so, at Malcolm's Point, to the spectacular
Carsaig Arches
, which were
formed by eroded sea caves and are linked to basalt cliffs.
Bunessan
Ardalanish Weavers
• Daily 10am-5pm • Free •
T
01681 700265,
W
ardalanishfarm.com.
From Carsaig, the main road continues for another twelve miles to
BUNESSAN
, the largest
village on the peninsula, roughly two-thirds of the way along the Ross. Just beyond the
Argyll Arms Hotel, drop in at Ardalanish Weavers, where beautiful durable organic tweed
is produced on Victorian looms originally from Torosay Castle. he tweed is snapped up
by high-end high-street stores, and is used for the elegant couture collection displayed in
the small shop; you can also buy smaller items such as scarves and balls of wool. A couple
of miles out of Bunessan is the wide expanse of
Ardalanish Bay
.
Fionnphort and around
he road along the Ross of Mull ends at
FIONNPHORT
, from where ferries ply the
short route across to Iona; there's also some handy accommodation here and a
